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Probation and Parole Officer

Also known as Community Corrections Officer and Parole Officer.

Probation and parole officers supervise offenders who have been placed on community-based orders by the courts, as well as offenders released on parole from prison.

Probation and parole officers may work in an office or in non- institutionalised community corrections centres.

A proportion of their time is spent in court and visiting prisons to interview and assess offenders and prisoners.

TASKS

Probation and parole officers may perform the following tasks:

manage and supervise offenders who have received community- based supervision orders (community service, home detention, probation or parole, for example) and ensure that they comply with the relevant order conditions
monitor home detainees by means of home visits and electronic monitoring technology, and report all breaches of conditions
develop and implement community-based work programmes
assess suitability, placement and management of offenders granted community service orders and fine option orders
interview offenders, their families, employers and educators to obtain information
submit reports and recommendations on whether parole should be granted
provide advice to assist the courts in determining the suitability of offenders to be placed on community-based orders
assist offenders to obtain employment
identify the risks and needs of offenders and refer them to appropriate programmes and/or external agencies
advise parolees and those on community-based orders on matters such as education, employment, finance, housing and other community services that may assist in their rehabilitation
conduct regular interviews with offenders and report on their progress
maintain contact with families to help solve problems of readjustment and rehabilitation
assist in preparing briefs for prosecuting offenders who fail to comply with community-based orders or breach parole conditions
maintain and develop offender records and administrative procedures
take part in staff development and training programmes, and provide training to new staff
participate on various committees to assist in policy, practice and community development

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

able to work in a team environment
mature, patient, tolerant and discrete
able to assess people and situations
genuine interest in people and their welfare
assertiveness
good interpersonal skills
good communication skills
Australian citizenship or permanent residency

Very Good Outlook for this career!

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as a probation and parole officer without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications.

You may like to consider a VOC qualification in community services work, counselling or a related field. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

You can also become a probation and parole officer by studying behavioural science, social work, social science, criminology, justice studies or psychology at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. Most universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact Open Universities Australia or the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

If your application is successful, you will join ACT Corrective Services or Corrective Services NSW. Successful applicants in the ACT will undertake training and work for a probationary period of six months. Those in NSW will undertake a 12-week training course involving both on- and off-the-job training. Once appointed, probation and parole officers undertake a 1-year probationary period.

Additional Information

You must undergo a National Police Check and hold a current drivers license prior to employment.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

In NSW, probation and parole officers are employed by Corrective Services NSW. In the ACT, probation and parole officers are employed by ACT Corrective Services of the Justice and Community Safety Directorate. See www.justice.act.gov.au.